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Combat sports have always been a stage for more than just physical prowess. Fighters are leaders, influencers, and, whether they realize it or not, role models to millions. This comes with a profound responsibility to use their platform for good. Recently, fighters like Sean Strickland and Jake Shields have been in the spotlight not for their skills inside the cage but for their divisive rhetoric outside of it. Their comments, which often come across as antisemitic or Islamophobic, fail to reflect the leadership and strength they’re capable of displaying. It’s time for fighters to rise above such hate and embrace a higher calling: to lead with love and light.
Why Hate is a Losing Game
When fighters use their voices to spread division, they’re not just hurting their reputation; they’re fueling the very forces of evil they think they’re fighting against. Blanket statements about Jews or Muslims don’t just alienate groups of people; they feed into the cycle of hatred that has plagued humanity for generations. As fighters, they know better than anyone that battles are not won by blindly swinging in all directions. A targeted, focused approach is required—and in the arena of social issues, that approach should be grounded in faith, love, and understanding.
Let us remember the Apostle Paul. Before his transformative encounter with Christ, he was Saul, a man who actively persecuted Christians. If the world had condemned him completely, where would we be? His story is a testament to God’s grace and the power of redemption. Fighters should take this lesson to heart. It is not our job to condemn entire groups of people. Instead, we are called to be vessels of God’s love and mercy, showing the way through our actions and words.
The Role of Faith in Leadership
Fighters who identify as Christians are called to a higher standard. Jesus’ teachings remind us that meekness is not weakness; it’s strength under control. Leading with meekness doesn’t mean turning a blind eye to atrocities—whether it’s Israel’s war crimes, Islamic terror attacks, or any other form of evil. It means standing firm in faith, calling out wrongdoing, but doing so in a way that glorifies God and seeks to heal rather than harm.
We are all children of God. Jews, Christians, Muslims—all trace their spiritual lineage back to Abraham. While some hearts have hardened, and some have turned to evil, we are not called to fight fire with fire. Hate only breeds more hate. Instead, we must break the cycle by leading with love, understanding, and the unwavering truth of God’s word.
Who Benefits from Division?
The truth is, there are forces at work that profit from division. Those pulling the strings—hidden in the shadows—thrive on fueling conflict between Jews, Muslims, and Christians. They fund both sides, perpetuating cycles of violence and mistrust. The result? Innocents suffer, homelands are destroyed, and generations grow up believing the only solution is more bloodshed. But God’s solution is bigger than that.
As fighters, as leaders, and as Christians, it’s crucial to call out evil where it exists without painting entire communities with the same brush. It’s not easy, and it’s not supposed to be. But the path of love and truth was never meant to be simple. Fighters know better than most that the hardest battles are the ones most worth fighting.
A Call to Action for Sean Strickland, Jake Shields, and All Fighters
To the fighters of the world: You’re not just warriors in the cage; you’re warriors in life. Your platform gives you the opportunity to be more than just athletes. You can be examples of masculine leadership grounded in faith, love, and strength. Use your voice not to condemn but to uplift. Show the world what it means to be a true champion—not just in combat but in character.
Lead with love. Lead with light. Speak the truth boldly, but speak it with the intent to heal, not harm. Recognize that the battle is not against flesh and blood but against the forces of darkness that seek to divide us. Through faith, humility, and courage, you can make a difference that goes far beyond the cage.
Don't stop what you're doing, just change the way you're doing it.
As Jesus said, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” Fighters, let that be your legacy. Not one of hate, but one of hope. Not one of division, but one of unity under the grace of God.
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